“Eighteen years ago, John Pyles and other community leaders approached me about saving the Met Theatre,” Mollohan said. “I was immediately drawn to the project and shared their vision of how the renovated facility could once again be a centerpiece of Morgantown’s cultural and social life. Bit by bit, we’ve turned that vision into reality. I am proud to have supported this project through the years.”

This is the fourth grant Mollohan has obtained for the project and brings the total federal contributions he has secured to approximately $2,750,000. This year’s funding will be matched by the City of Morgantown and will be used for carpeting, lobby renovations, portieres, rail guards, and other interior improvements.

Mollohan explained that the funding would be provided by the National Park Service’s Save America’s Treasures program. It is included in the fiscal year 2011 appropriations bill for the Department of the Interior. Mollohan, a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, serves on the subcommittee that funds the department.

“This is just terrific news,” said Vivian Woofter Chair of the Metropolitan Theatre Foundation. “I think over the last few years especially the community has really come to realize just how important the Theatre is to downtown Morgantown and the entire region. Whenever we’ve needed him, Congressman Mollohan has come through for us. Downtown Morgantown wouldn’t be where it is without his support.”

The Metropolitan Theatre was built in 1924 and for the next six decades hosted national stars as well as local talent shows, concerts, graduations, and other community events. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984, but, after falling into a state of disrepair, closed its doors in 1987. Shortly thereafter, the Metropolitan Theatre Foundation was founded to protect and renovate the property. Today, the building is a key element of the Downtown Morgantown Historic District.

The legislation must be approved by the House and Senate and signed into law before any funding can be delivered.

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